Commonly used brand name(s)

Uses For Metrogel-Vaginal

Metronidazole vaginal is used to treat women with vaginal infections (e.g., bacterial vaginosis).

Metronidazole belongs to the class of medicines known as antibiotics. It works by killing the bacteria or preventing their growth. However, this medicine will not work for vaginal fungus or yeast infections.

Before Using Metrogel-Vaginal

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

In deciding whether to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For vaginal metronidazole, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of metronidazole vaginal gel have not been performed in the pediatric population. However, pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of this medication in teenagers are not expected. This medicine may be used for bacterial vaginosis in teenage females but should not be used before the start of menstruation.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of metronidazole vaginal gel in the elderly.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Category

Explanation

All Trimesters

B

Animal studies have revealed no evidence of harm to the fetus, however, there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR animal studies have shown an adverse effect, but adequate studies in pregnant women have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

Amifampridine

Amprenavir

Bepridil

Cisapride

Disulfiram

Dronedarone

Mesoridazine

Pimozide

Saquinavir

Sparfloxacin

Terfenadine

Thioridazine

Ziprasidone

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Alfuzosin

Amiodarone

Amitriptyline

Anagrelide

Apomorphine

Aripiprazole

Arsenic Trioxide

Asenapine

Astemizole

Atazanavir

Azithromycin

Bedaquiline

Bupropion

Buserelin

Busulfan

Chloroquine

Chlorpromazine

Ciprofloxacin

Citalopram

Clarithromycin

Clomipramine

Clozapine

Crizotinib

Cyclobenzaprine

Dabrafenib

Dasatinib

Delamanid

Desipramine

Deslorelin

Disopyramide

Dofetilide

Dolasetron

Domperidone

Donepezil

Doxepin

Droperidol

Ebastine

Eribulin

Erythromycin

Escitalopram

Famotidine

Felbamate

Fingolimod

Flecainide

Fluconazole

Fluorouracil

Fluoxetine

Formoterol

Foscarnet

Fosphenytoin

Galantamine

Gatifloxacin

Gemifloxacin

Gonadorelin

Goserelin

Granisetron

Halofantrine

Haloperidol

Histrelin

Hydroquinidine

Ibutilide

Iloperidone

Imipramine

Itraconazole

Ivabradine

Ketoconazole

Lapatinib

Leuprolide

Levofloxacin

Lumefantrine

Mefloquine

Methadone

Mifepristone

Mizolastine

Moxifloxacin

Mycophenolate Mofetil

Nafarelin

Nelfinavir

Nilotinib

Norfloxacin

Octreotide

Ofloxacin

Olanzapine

Ondansetron

Paliperidone

Paroxetine

Pasireotide

Pazopanib

Pentamidine

Perflutren Lipid Microsphere

Perphenazine

Pipamperone

Posaconazole

Probucol

Procainamide

Prochlorperazine

Promethazine

Propafenone

Protriptyline

Quetiapine

Quinidine

Quinine

Ranolazine

Rilpivirine

Risperidone

Ritonavir

Sertindole

Sevoflurane

Sodium Phosphate

Sodium Phosphate, Dibasic

Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic

Solifenacin

Sorafenib

Sotalol

Sunitinib

Tacrolimus

Tamoxifen

Tegafur

Telaprevir

Telavancin

Telithromycin

Tetrabenazine

Tizanidine

Tolterodine

Toremifene

Trazodone

Trimipramine

Triptorelin

Vandetanib

Vardenafil

Vemurafenib

Venlafaxine

Vilanterol

Vinflunine

Voriconazole

Vorinostat

Warfarin

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Carbamazepine

Cholestyramine

Cyclosporine

Lithium

Milk Thistle

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication, change some of the other medicines you take, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Ethanol

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Aseptic meningitis, history of or

Encephalopathy (brain disorder), history of or

Leukopenia (low white blood cells), history of or

Optic neuropathy (eye disease with vision changes), history of or

Peripheral neuropathy (nerve disease with pain, numbness, or tingling), history of or

Seizures or epilepsy, history of—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

Liver disease, severe—Patients with severe liver disease may have an increase in side effects.

Proper Use of metronidazole

This section provides information on the proper use of a number of products that contain metronidazole. It may not be specific to Metrogel-Vaginal. Please read with care.

Use this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

This medicine is to be used only in the vagina. Use it at bedtime, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

Do not get it in your eyes, nose, mouth, or skin. If this medicine does get into your eyes, wash them out right away with large amounts of cool tap water. If your eyes still burn or are painful, check with your doctor.

This medicine usually come with patient directions. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Wash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.

Metronidazole vaginal gel is in a tube. You will use an applicator to put the gel into your vagina. The applicator has a plastic tube called a barrel that is open at one end and has a plunger (another piece of plastic that can move inside the barrel) at the other end.

To fill the applicator:

For cream or gel dosage forms:

Break the metal seal at the opening of the tube by using the point on the top of the cap.

Screw the applicator onto the tube.

Squeeze the medicine into the applicator slowly until it is full.

Remove the applicator from the tube. Replace the cap on the tube.

For vaginal tablet dosage form:

Place the vaginal tablet into the applicator. Wet the vaginal tablet with water for a few seconds.

To insert vaginal metronidazole using the applicator

For all dosage forms:

Relax while lying on your back with your knees bent (or in any position that you feel comfortable).

Hold the full applicator in one hand. Insert it slowly into the vagina. Stop before it becomes uncomfortable.

Slowly press the plunger until it stops.

Withdraw the applicator. The medicine will be left behind in the vagina.

Remove the applicator from your vagina. Use each applicator only once, and then throw it away.

To help clear up your infection completely, it is very important that you keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if your symptoms begin to clear up after a few days. If you stop using this medicine too soon, your symptoms may return. Do not miss any doses. Also, continue using this medicine even if your menstrual period starts during the time of treatment.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

For bacterial vaginal infections:

For vaginal dosage form (cream):

Adults and teenagers—One applicatorful (500 milligrams [mg]), inserted into the vagina. Use the medicine one or two times a day for 10 or 20 days.

Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

For vaginal dosage form (gel):

Adults and teenagers—One applicatorful (5000 milligrams [mg]) inserted into the vagina once a day (at bedtime) for 5 days. Each applicatorful contains 37.5 mg of metronidazole.

Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

For vaginal dosage form (tablets):

Adults and teenagers—One 500 milligram (mg) tablet, inserted high into the vagina. Use the medicine once a day in the evening for 10 or 20 days.

Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Precautions While Using Metrogel-Vaginal

It is important that your doctor check your progress after you finish using this medicine. This is to make sure that the infection is cleared up.

If your symptoms do not improve within a few days after you start this medicine or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

You should not use this medicine if you have taken disulfiram (Antabuse®) within the last 2 weeks. Disulfiram is used to help people who have a drinking problem. If these 2 medicines are taken close together, serious unwanted effects may occur.

Drinking alcoholic beverages while using this medicine may cause stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, headache, or flushing or redness of the face. Alcohol-containing medicines (e.g., elixirs, cough syrups, tonics) may also cause problems. The chance of these problems occurring may continue for at least a day after you stop using metronidazole. You should not drink alcoholic beverages or take other alcohol-containing medicines while you are using this medicine and for at least 3 days after stopping it.

Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor right away if you have dizziness, problems with muscle control or coordination, shakiness or an unsteady walk, slurred speech, or trouble with speaking. These may be symptoms of a serious brain condition called encephalopathy.

Stop using this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have confusion, drowsiness, fever, a general feeling of illness, a headache, loss of appetite, nausea, a stiff neck or back, or vomiting. These could be symptoms of a serious condition called aseptic meningitis.

Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor right away if you are having burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations in the arms, hands, legs, or feet. These could be symptoms of a condition called peripheral neuropathy.

This medicine may cause some people to become dizzy or lightheaded. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or are not alert. If these reactions are especially bothersome, check with your doctor.

Vaginal medicines usually leak out of the vagina during treatment. To keep the medicine from getting on your clothing, wear a mini-pad or sanitary napkin. Do not use tampons (like those used for menstrual periods) since they may soak up the medicine.

To help clear up your infection completely and to help make sure it does not return, good health habits are also required.

Do not have sexual intercourse while you are using this medicine. Having sexual intercourse may reduce the strength of the medicine. This may keep the medicine from working properly. Also, oils in the cream and vaginal tablets (but not the vaginal gel) may damage latex (rubber) contraceptive devices (e.g., cervical caps, condoms, or diaphragms), causing them to leak, wear out sooner, or not work properly.

Avoid using douches or other vaginal products unless your doctor tells you to.

Many vaginal infections (e.g., trichomoniasis) are spread by having sexual intercourse. You can give the infection to your sexual partner, and the infection could be given back to you. Your partner may also need to be treated for some infections. Until you are sure that the infection is completely cleared up after your treatment with this medicine, your partner should wear a condom during sexual intercourse . If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.

Before you have any medical tests, tell the medical doctor in charge that you are using this medicine. The results of some tests may be affected by this medicine.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Metrogel-Vaginal Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Itching in the vagina

pain during sexual intercourse

thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor

Less common

Abdominal or stomach cramping or pain

burning on urination or need to urinate more often

burning or irritation of penis of sexual partner

itching, stinging, or redness of the genital area

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

Diarrhea

dizziness or lightheadedness

dryness of the mouth

feeling of a furry tongue

headache

loss of appetite

metallic taste or other change in taste sensation

nausea

vomiting

Metronidazole may cause your urine to become dark. This is harmless and will go away when you stop using this medicine.

After you stop using this medicine, it may still produce some side effects that need attention. During this period of time, check with your doctor immediately if you notice the following side effects:

Any vaginal or genital irritation or itching

pain during sexual intercourse

thick, white vaginal discharge not present before treatment, with no odor or with a mild odor

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

The information contained in the Truven Health Micromedex products as delivered by Drugs.com is intended as an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment. It is not a substitute for a medical exam, nor does it replace the need for services provided by medical professionals. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before taking any prescription or over the counter drugs (including any herbal medicines or supplements) or following any treatment or regimen. Only your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for you.

The use of the Truven Health products is at your sole risk. These products are provided "AS IS" and "as available" for use, without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Truven Health and Drugs.com make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, usefulness or completeness of any of the information contained in the products. Additionally, TRUVEN HEALTH MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTIES AS TO THE OPINIONS OR OTHER SERVICE OR DATA YOU MAY ACCESS, DOWNLOAD OR USE AS A RESULT OF USE OF THE THOMSON REUTERS HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS. ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE ARE HEREBY EXCLUDED. Truven Health does not assume any responsibility or risk for your use of the Truven Health products.

Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.